“But then panda cars were introduced and and officers started doing more paperwork and overall there’s probably been a major decline in fitness throughout the force.

“Police fitness needs to be monitored, it is a physical job and they need to be fit to do that physical job.”

The new mandatory testing was implemented by the force for the first time in September 2013.

In the first year, 20 officers failed the test. Last year that figure ballooned to 40.

Up until July this year, 17 officers failed it.

Unlike other forces across the country, West Yorkshire Police refused to reveal the rank of the officers who failed.

It also didn’t reveal how many officers it employed and how many times each officer had failed.

Officers have three attempts at passing the test. If they fail it a third time then the force can open up disciplinary actions.

This could include suspension or even the sack.

The test came to prominence after super-sized sergeant Andy Sharp made headlines after he was snapped on duty.

Colleagues defended the rotund officer - with some saying the portly PC wasn’t even the fattest on the force.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “West Yorkshire Police introduced the job related fitness test from September 2013, since then it became mandatory for all officers to complete the job related fitness test prior to officer safety training.

“Officers who do not reach the required standard still continue with officer safety training and are given support and guidance on how to improve their fitness in order to reach the required standard for their next official test which would be in 12 months’ time.”